Michael Kownacky

Ruggero Leoncavallo experienced the joy of his first opera being a resounding hit that unfortunately would be a millstone around his neck by which all of his other operas would be judged, and on this week’s Sunday Opera (11/8 3:00 p.m.), we’ll hear a performance of that opera, “Pagliacci,” from the Opera Festival of Chicago.

There are many things associated with celebrations and observances, but one that seems to come to the forefront is a bell. Bells are rung for weddings, funerals, “festive cheer,” to bring people together, and to summon help. We’re going to look at some “musical” bells on this week’s Dress Circle (11/8 7:00 p.m.) that signal love, are metaphors for life, simply metaphysical, and one that we’re not quite sure about.

We’re finishing our time with Beijing’s National Center for the Performing Arts on this week’s Sunday Opera (11/01 3:00 p.m.) as we turn to the second of the operas in Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle, “Die Walkure.”

November has arrived with all of its natural beauty and human angst, but we’re going to focus on some beauty on this week’s Dress Circle (11/1 7:00 p.m.) as we continue with overtures and opening numbers from a selection of the musicals that opened this month spanning 182 years of Broadway musical history.

We’re staying in Beijing for this week’s Sunday Opera (10/25 3:00 p.m.) for a performance of Puccini’s “Tosca” from The National Center for the Performing Arts. With a libretto by Luigi illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, this well-loved tale of political turmoil, jealousy, corruption, murder, revenge, and suicide premiered in Rome in 1900.

Long-time listeners to The Dress Circle know that we’re fond of “calendar art,” and this week’s program (11/25 7:00 p.m.) continues with that. We’re offering a “Halloween Prep” that features some of our favorite pieces from programs past.

We’re continuing at Beijing’s National Center for the Performing Arts this week as the Sunday Opera (10/18 3:00 p.m.) airs Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata” which is based on “La Dame aux Camiles” (1852), a play by Alexandre Dumas fils, adapted from his own 1848 novel.

Pupazzo, fantoche, puppen, dukker, puppets, or whatever they’re called, have always been a part of story telling and theatre around the world, and on this week’s Dress Circle (10/18 7:00 p.m.), we’re going to be looking at a variety of musicals in which puppets were central or featured components.

We’re beginning a new series from Beijing’s National Center for the Performing Arts with the downfall of the gods as it is set into motion on this week’s Sunday Opera (10/11 3:00 p.m.) with Wagner’s “Das Rheingold.”

We’re playing a numbers game on week’s Dress Circle (10/11 7:00 p.m.), rather small numbers, as we look at musicals and revues calling for casts of one to four performers.